MaineHousing has lowered its mortgage interest rates to help eligible first- time home buyers take advantage of the federal tax credit that is scheduled to expire on April 30.

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Governor John E. Baldacci today presented his priorities for restoring $78.7 million in cuts original proposed to close a budget gap created by the global recession and declining State revenues.

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The Governor’s Job Summit brought together individuals representing 80 businesses from across Maine. The purpose of the summit, co-hosted by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, was to discuss effective ways to increase job creation.

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Under the Bush administration Maine suffered from lack of support, funding and a prescription drug program that was unfair to seniors and state budgets. President Obama is working with state’s to ensure America recovers from the recession. How the federal budget effects Maine could lessen the budget cuts the state has to make to constitutionally.

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Governor Baldacci announcing the budget plan

Before the recession, state government had surpluses. The nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said that midyear budget shortfalls have opened up in 39 states, totaling $34 billion. In Arizona, lawmakers considered mortgaging capitol buildings. Drastic financial remedies are no longer limited to California where state agencies issued IOUs to pay bills earlier this year. Maine is not alone, and the federal government is aware of every state’s legal obligation to balance their budgets.

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In the coming weeks, I’ll be presenting to the Legislature my plans for bringing Maine’s two-year budget into balance.

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There are estimates that up to 60 percent of Maine voters went out to the polls on Election Day. The same sex marriage issue brought people out but there were other important measures on the ballot.

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This week Governor John E. Baldacci with Maine families and volunteers including elected officials gathered at the home of Sally Dobres in Bangor to urge Maine people to vote NO on Question 1.

On Thursday the Governor appeared on the MSNBC Rachael Meddow Show and talked about why he supports No on Question 1.

“In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions. I came to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.

“The law guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

• Maine moves forward in the clean sustainable-energy economy

• Two exclusive interviews with Governor John Baldacci on the European renewable-energy trade mission success and

• electrical transmission challenges

• John Kerry — the man behind the state’s 50-year comprehensive energy plan

• Governor Baldacci’s weatherization program starts

• Dr. Habib Dagher of UMaine’s composite lab talks about Maine’s clean-energy potential

• Maine Receives Major Federal Investment for Offshore Wind Development
• New opportunities for students with scholarships and new programs
• Maine’s new weatherization program starts
• Maine becomes New England’s tomato capital with Backyard Farms
• A new, sustainable growth plan will improve Maine’s quality of life
• U.S. Secretary LaHood is impressed with Maine’s technologies
• Heating with electricity is affordable with the Acadia
• Maine’s boat industry grows with model North Star Alliance Initiative
• Two economic development projects move Maine forward with $7.75 million
• Election Issues 2009 — including why Maine’s three port strategy is major

All photography in this issue by Ramona du Houx unless indicated

AUGUSTA – Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, announced today that he has filed a bill to allow Mainers to remove their names from citizens’ initiative and people’s veto petitions.

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